I Don’t Know What to Do

If you’re pregnant, and it’s unexpected, you might feel completely overwhelmed. You have some of the biggest decisions of your life ahead of you, and you might be making them on your own.

Some women know right away they want to keep their baby, and some women already have an abortion plan all figured out. The important thing to remember is that this is your choice to make and it doesn’t have to be rushed.

You can, and should, take enough time to educate yourself about all your options. The only true choice is a fully informed choice.

While you are thinking through your options, it can be helpful to visualize each option. Think about how today’s decision will make you feel now, and try to think about how you’ll feel about it five years from now.

In alphabetical order, here are the most common options.

Abortion – Of all your choices, this is the most immediately permanent. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re undecided. It’s also something to think about if you’re feeling pressured into making a decision. While lots of people around you may have opinions on what you should do, you’re the person who will live with whatever you choose to do.

If you decide you want an abortion, here are a few questions to ask yourself.

Have I taken a pregnancy test yet? If no, click here or call 1-800-712-4357 and we can find a place for you to get a free pregnancy test in your area.

Have I received enough information to be confident in my choice? If no, contact us and we can connect you with help in your area. These centers are designed to empower you to make an informed choice. They also won’t make any money off your choice, so they won’t try to sell you anything or pressure you into putting any money down.

Have I had an ultrasound to see if my pregnancy is viable? Some early pregnancies end in miscarriages, so it’s good to know that going into your abortion decision. An ultrasound will also alert you if you have an ectopic1 pregnancy, which can be a life-threatening condition. For a free ultrasound, call 1-800-712-4357, send us a message, or chat with us and we’ll see if anything is available in your area.

Adoption – This is a decision that can be made any time in your pregnancy, all the way up to birth. It can even be made right after you have your baby if you’re undecided for that long. There are several different kinds of adoption, and it can be helpful to learn about each type to see if any fit your situation.

If you decide you want an adoption, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Have I confirmed my pregnancy by both pregnancy test and ultrasound? This is important in helping you determine that you’re pregnant and how far along you are. It’s also helpful to make certain your pregnancy is viable and will likely carry to term.

Do I understand the different types of adoption and my rights before and after? You can call 1-800-712-4357, send us a message, or chat with us at OptionLine, and we can locate adoption help in your area. An agency we can connect you to will be able to give you more information, and help you know all of your rights.

Parenting – This is a decision that can be made all the way through pregnancy. You will have plenty of time to educate yourself and prepare if this is the choice you decide to make. Some common concerns are how you’ll get all the items a baby would need, and how you’ll support yourself and a baby once he or she arrives.

If you decide you want to parent, here are some questions to ask yourself:

Have I had a pregnancy test and ultrasound? This is important in helping you determine that you’re pregnant, how far along you are, and that your pregnancy is viable.

Do I need any help? Some women are in a position to purchase what they need on their own. Most women might need a little (or a lot) of help. There are over 2,000 organizations in the United States, and many more around the world, who help women and families with anything from baby bottles and diapers, to peer and professional counseling, and even housing.

Call 1-800-712-4357, send us a message, or chat with us at OptionLine today, and we can locate parenting help in your area. This could include baby items, parenting classes, and referrals to community help local to you. We’re here 24/7!

Note: Option Line and our network of participating pregnancy centers offers peer counseling and accurate information about all pregnancy options; however, these centers do not offer or refer for abortion services. The information presented on this website and given through contacting Option Line is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.